Michigan motorcycle permit test numbers to know

Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 25 Michigan numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

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Numbers flashcards

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  • Alcohol & drugs

    Under Michigan's drunk driving laws, what happens to your license after a first drunk driving conviction?

    A six-month suspension, with a possible restricted license after 30 days

    Michigan requires a six-month driver's license suspension even for a first drunk driving conviction.

    Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 18

  • Fines, points & penalties

    What is the penalty for a first violation of riding a motorcycle in Michigan without the required endorsement?

    A civil infraction with a civil fine of up to $250

    A first offense of riding without a motorcycle endorsement is a civil infraction with a fine of not more than $250.

    Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 17

  • Distances & following gaps

    Under Michigan's equipment law, a motorcycle horn must be audible under normal conditions from at least how far away?

    200 feet

    Michigan requires a motorcycle horn in good working order that can be heard from at least 200 feet under normal conditions, without being unreasonably loud or harsh.

    Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 20

Every Michigan motorcycle number, by topic

Official Michigan laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.

Alcohol & drugs

6 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.08%Legal BAC limit for adult driverslegislature.mi.gov
Quote
The person has an alcohol content of 0.08 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine
0.02%BAC limit for underage driverslegislature.mi.gov
Quote
An alcohol content of 0.02 grams or more but less than 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehiclelegislature.mi.gov
Quote
who has an alcohol content of 0.04 grams or more but less than 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood
1 year, 2 years, 7 yearsDrunk driving (DUI)Implied-consent refusal without a successful hearing: license suspended 1 year (2 years for a second refusal within 7 years)legislature.mi.gov
Quote
suspend or deny the person's operator's or chauffeur's license or permit to drive, or nonresident operating privilege, for 1 year or, for a second or subsequent refusal within 7 years, for 2 years.
six-month, 30 daysUnder Michigan's drunk driving laws, what happens to your license after a first drunk driving conviction?Answer: A six-month suspension, with a possible restricted license after 30 daysMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 18
Quote
Require a six-month driver’s license suspension, even for a first conviction. Driver may be eligible to receive a restricted license after serving 30 days of the suspension.
two hoursOn a long ride, how often does the manual suggest stopping to get off the motorcycle?Answer: About every two hours, or as neededMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 69
Quote
Take frequent rest breaks – Stop and get off the motorcycle every two hours or as needed.

Fines, points & penalties

2 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$250What is the penalty for a first violation of riding a motorcycle in Michigan without the required endorsement?Answer: A civil infraction with a civil fine of up to $250Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 17
Quote
(a) For a first violation, the individual is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $250.00.
$20,000For a rider 21 or older to ride without a helmet in Michigan, how much first-party medical benefit coverage must be in effect?Answer: At least $20,000Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 19
Quote
Have at least $20,000 in first party medical benefits

Distances & following gaps

3 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
200 feetUnder Michigan's equipment law, a motorcycle horn must be audible under normal conditions from at least how far away?Answer: 200 feetMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 20
Quote
capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet
Four secondsWhat following distance does the manual recommend for new motorcycle riders in normal conditions?Answer: Four secondsMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 45
Quote
operators try to maintain a four second following distance behind the vehicle
Five secondsYou are riding at 45 mph on slippery pavement in heavy traffic. What following distance should you open up?Answer: Five seconds or moreMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 45
Quote
up a five second or more following

Ages, permits & the test

8 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$16Feemichigan.gov
Quote
Successful completion of a motorcycle rider education course or the written knowledge test and motorcycle skills test is required. A motorcycle rider education course is required for teens ages 16-17 and for adults who fail the motorcycle skills test twice.
180 daysMotorcycle permit180 dayslegislature.mi.gov
Quote
to operate a motorcycle on the public streets and highways for a period of 180 days under the following conditions
10-yearMotorcycle permitNo more than 2 motorcycle TIPs in a 10-year periodlegislature.mi.gov
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The applicant shall not be eligible for more than 2 motorcycle temporary instruction permits in a 10-year period.
aged 18Motorcycle permitConstant visual supervision by a licensed motorcycle operator aged 18 or olderlegislature.mi.gov
Quote
on receiving proper application from an individual 16 or 17 years of age who is enrolled in or has successfully completed an approved motorcycle safety course under section 811a, or an individual who is 18 years of age or older and who holds a valid operator's or chauffeur's license
aged 16-17Motorcycle permitRiders aged 16-17 must be enrolled in or have completed an approved motorcycle safety course to get a TIP and must pass the course to get the endorsementlegislature.mi.gov
Quote
on receiving proper application from an individual 16 or 17 years of age who is enrolled in or has successfully completed an approved motorcycle safety course under section 811a, or an individual who is 18 years of age or older and who holds a valid operator's or chauffeur's license
180 daysHow long is a Michigan motorcycle temporary instruction permit (TIP) valid?Answer: 180 daysMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 9
Quote
A TIP is valid for 180 days and is required for the rider skills test.
age 18Who must supervise you while you ride on a Michigan motorcycle TIP?Answer: A licensed motorcycle operator age 18 or older who keeps you in constant viewMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 9
Quote
Ride under the constant visual supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 18 years old.
At least 18To earn a Michigan motorcycle endorsement through the rider skills test at a driver testing business (instead of a rider education course), how old must you be?Answer: At least 18Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 8
Quote
rider skills test offered through a driver testing business, you must: • Be at least age 18.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

5 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
under 19HelmetsMoped operators under 19 must wear a helmetlegislature.mi.gov
Quote
A person less than 19 years of age operating a moped on a public thoroughfare shall wear a crash helmet on his or her head.
35 mphHelmetsEye protection is required above 35 mph without a windshieldlegislature.mi.gov
Quote
When a motorcycle operated on the public highways of this state in excess of 35 miles per hour is not equipped with a windshield, the operator shall wear goggles with transparent lenses or a transparent face shield or eyeglasses
under 21A 19-year-old has held a CY endorsement for three years and carries extra medical insurance. Must she wear a helmet when riding in Michigan?Answer: Yes, every rider under 21 must wear a helmetMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 19
Quote
Taking a state-approved rider skills test. (Michigan.gov/Motorcycletest) • Under the age of 21.
two yearsA 30-year-old got his CY endorsement last month through the skills test, with no rider course, and has $20,000 in first-party medical benefits. May he legally ride without a helmet?Answer: No, he also needs two years with the endorsement or a passed rider courseMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 19
Quote
A motorcycle helmet is not required if you are age 21 or older and you: • Have had your motorcycle endorsement (CY) for longer than two years or have passed a state approved motorcycle rider education course.
32 inchUnder Michigan's tire law, what is the minimum allowable tread depth for motorcycle tires?Answer: 1/32 inch, front and rearMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 21
Quote
Motorcycle and moped: 1/32-inch front and rear.

Other numbers

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
70 percentWhen used correctly, about how much of your total stopping power does the front brake provide?Answer: 70 percent or moreMichigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), page 40
Quote
provide 70 percent your total stopping power, therefore, use of the front

Memory tips

How to study them (our advice, not official rules):

  • Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
  • Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
  • Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.

Questions about the numbers

What numbers do I need to know for the Michigan motorcycle permit test?

Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 25 of them for Michigan, each with its source.

Why focus on numbers?

A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each one is quoted from the Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116), Michigan statutes or SOS pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.

Is the numbers drill free?

Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.

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